Best Actor 1973: Jack Nicholson in The Last Detail

Jack Nicholson received his third Oscar nomination for portraying Signalman 1st Class Billy L. "Bad Ass" Buddusky in The Last Detail.

The Last Detail tells the story of two naval petty officers Badass, and Mule (Otis Young) who have to transfer a very small time thief Seaman Larry Meadows (Randy Quaid) to the brig, but at the same time they try to provide a little bit of adventure and life experiences for the soon to be imprisoned young man.

Jack Nicholson has a rather interesting role in the film, since although he is the main character he really is not exactly the focus of the film precisely. It instead interestingly focuses on how he reacts to the naive Larry. It is a interesting dynamic, that might seem not seem conducive to developing a fully realized character, by Nicholson does this without fault, and it is fascinating that he does through his role that never really stops to tell specifically about Buddusky.

Nicholson though portrays this role with absolute ease, and charisma, it is another seventies Nicholson performance which really does mean a whole lot. In this decade Nicholson just has something else that no other actor ever hard is going to have. He is this unique presence and technique that is simply unforgettable in his nominated performances of this decade including this performance.

Nicholson develops a rather fascinating character in Buddusky because he is a career naval man, who does most certainly does his job thoroughly, and despite having problems with it he does not obviously hate it, yet still has an air of anti-establishment sentiment at the same time. It is an incredibly interesting mix of a character that Nicholson pulls off without a fault.

Nicholson is great in this part because he portrays it in an especially dead on realistic fashion throughout. Due to this fact, his somewhat reactionary performance is simply amazing at times. I think in particularly strong moments are when it shows how much he really pity and feels for Larry. Two extremely powerful moments of this aspect are probably his reaction to seeing the inside of Larry's home, or when he really contemplates what will happen to Larry.

This performance is not all reactionary though, and since it is a 70's Nicholson performance this of course has some classic Nicholson moments. The best of is of course when he confronts the racist bar tender who won't serve Larry, and right after that scene where he proclaims his badassery. Nicholson just has an amazing visceral energy, that is incomparable, and just incredible to watch. It also always works in these performances though because each scene in these performances although distinctly Nicholson, also always makes them distinctly the character he is playing, because Nicholson most certianly is a complete bad ass as bad ass.

Nicholson performance is just an amazing piece of acting, because I felt I really did meet Bad Ass Budusky in this film, and spent time with him as he did this job, and attempted to teach, or show Larry something. It is a strong piece of work becuase he develops Budusky so smoothly, and never does he ever seem like he is acting, even in his scenes that only Jack Nicholson could possibly do. It amazing to see how Nicholson truly develops a unique characterization and manages to create an outstanding memorable character without ever having a single scene that is obviously written just to develop his character. This is a great achievement by Nicholson that is all there is to it.

Best Actor 1973

And the Nominees Were:

Marlon Brando in Last Tango in Paris

Al Pacino in Serpico

Jack Lemmon in Save the Tiger

Jack Nicholson in The Last Detail

Robert Redford in The Sting

Best Actor 1975: Results

5. James Whitmore in Give 'Em Hell Harry!- This simple truth about this performance is it should not have been nominated. This is not a performance for film, it was performed for an audience in the theater not for the the person watching the film. This abundantly clear throughout the film in his theatrical performance, that is completely unrelenting, and is rather awkward to watch.

4. Walter Matthau in The Sunshine Boys- Matthau performance is not all that funny to me in most of his scenes. In most scenes I found him rather annoying, but he makes up for it somewhat due to every scene with George Burns, because their scenes are wonderful.

3. Maximilian Schell in A Man in the Glass Booth- Schell whole performance really is nuts, but a glorious nuts. He is incredibly entertaining in his insanity, as well as does his very best to manage the concepts of his character.

2. Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest- Nicholson excels in every single moment of his performance here. It is a perfect role for Nicholson, and Nicholson knows. He gives an entertaining magnetic performance, that works wonders for his film.

1. Al Pacino in Dog Day Afternoon- As great as Nicholson is there is no doubt in my mind that Pacino gives the best performance this year. Pacino simply makes so many risks with this performance from his manic ways, to his voice he uses, to the extreme emotional range found in Sonny, and the thing is they all pay off completely, this is truly a perfect performance. There is not a false or boring moment, only powerful, effective, entertaining, and fascinating ones in this stunning portrait of a man.

Deserving Performances:
Michael Caine in The Man Who Would be King
Sean Connery in The Man Who Would be King

Best Actor 1975: Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest

Jack Nicholson won his first Oscar from his sixth nomination for portraying Randle McMurphy in One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest.

One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest of course tells of a mental hospital ward where the forces of the institution personified by Nurse Ratched, but her institution and control of the patients is disrupted by Randle McMurphy a convict who only really went there to get out of prison.

Jack Nicholson by the time he won his Oscar here had certainly become completely Jack Nicholson, with his unique style and presence on film. This film frankly clearly is aware of Nicholson's other performances in Chinatown, The Last Detail, and Five Easy Pieces. It knows this I think because there are so many scenes that seem so much directed in a way to make them classic Jack Nicholson moments.

Although the scene may be set up a little obviously for this reason, it does not diminish their strength nor the strength of Nicholson's performance. These scenes are there for him to show off, and boy Nicholson most certainly does incredibly well every time he has a chance. Whether it is acting out a baseball game, attempting to trick a boat owner, trying to teach the seemingly deaf and mute Chief  basketball, or later playing that basketball game, Nicholson does excel every time because he is effectively entertaining, and he does use it as part of McMurphy as a character, as just a guy who really cannot be tamed.

Only Nicholson could really be this entertaining and magnetic as McMurphy, Nicholson just always hit the right notes in every scene to make them work just right, and not seem forced because he is so good at them. Nicholson is just never off despite not playing any of these scenes in safe manner. He always really goes out on a limb, a limb where he lesser actor could of overacted or really fallen flat but Nicholson never does.

Jack Nicholson though is not only these scene though, and he does fully realize McMurphy as a character as  well. He makes McMurphy clearly rather aimless, and just never wants to be controlled by anyone else. I think Nicholson particularly excels in his early moment with the institution's main doctor. It is not a large scenes, but Nicholson brilliantly tells exactly how McMurphy has gotten here, as well as how he is not the guy who is easy to regret anything.

His other important scenes are of course his interactions with the other patients as well as with Nurse Ratched. With the other patients Nicholson is rather interesting because he shows that McMurphy never really fully understands them, and fails to understand how they can so institutionalized.  Nicholson brings out the right mix of this lack of understanding as well, as a pity of sorts as well, as well as amused by them too, it is a fascinating dynamic McMurphy has with the other patients which I think works because of Nicholson.

His other pivotal relationship is his antagonistic one with Nurse Ratched. I think much of this actually comes with reaction shots from Nicholson where he slowly builds up an incredible hatred for the controlling Nurse. Much of what he does is indirectly attacking her, and Nicholson is terrific in showing this as McMurphy way of defiance against her. It is interesting because Nicholson portrays his hatred as more of a side effect of her just being the authority figure, but slowly he shows it becomes far more personal leading to his final violent outburst at the end of the film.

This is an amazing performance by Nicholson, a performance that seems to be played always with incredible ease. Nicholson never seems to be trying in this performance, and that is what makes it as good as it is. Nicholson's magnetic personality, as well as his constant ability to entertain always comes naturally with Nicholson in this performance. It is a great performance, because Nicholson always shows he was a perfect fit for McMurphy.

Best Actor 1975

And the Nominees Were:

Al Pacino in Dog Day Afternoon

James Whitmore in Give 'Em Hell, Harry!

Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Maximilian Schell in The Man in the Glass Booth

Walter Matthau in The Sunshine Boys 

Best Actor 1987

5. Robin Williams in Good Morning Vietnam- Williams is given the right part that allows him to show his comedic ability in this film, it is not anything great, but it still is an effective enough performance.

4. William Hurt in Broadcast News- Hurt's performance is not all that interesting, but it does fulfill the requirement of his role as the rather shallow newscaster.

3. Marcello Mastroianni in Dark Eyes- Mastroianni puts a whole lot of effort in his big romantic performance, some of his performance does not entirely pay off, but enough does for this to be overall a charming as well as tragic performance.

2. Michael Douglas in Wall Street- Douglas' Gordon Gekko is not the most three dimensional character, but Douglas is properly commanding and convincing in his entirely villainous role.

1. Jack Nicholson in Ironweed- Nicholson for me this year stands far and above the rest of the performances. His performance as the homeless alcoholic Francis Phelan is a sad, haunting, exceedingly memorable performance, that easily gets my choice.

Deserving Performances:
John Lone in The Last Emperor

Best Actor 1987: Jack Nicholson in Ironweed

Jack Nicholson received his ninth Oscar nomination for portraying Francis Phelan in Ironweed.

Ironweed is an effective haunting film about an alcoholic homeless man during the depression drifting through life, as well as remembering his past.

Jack Nicholson's performance in the film, is one of his quietest performances really. He never has uses any of his Nicholson trademarks in this film, instead portrays Francis as a truly downtrodden character, who Nicholson always shows to really have the good life taken out him completely from his hardships he has faced in his life as a homeless man.

Francis though was not always a homeless man, and only became one due to his incredible guilt he faced after accidentally dropping his infant son, causing his son to die. This is all learned in a single scene where Francis visits his sons grave, and Nicholson makes this scene one of the best scenes in his entire career. As Francis talks to his son, he shows all his guilt, he has had over his son, and his complete sense of loss, Nicholson in this one scene is  heartbreaking, with his entirely honest portrayal of Francis' grief.

Francis spends much of the film simply drifting from place to place, doing small jobs to get money, and get another drink. Nicholson is extremely good in showing just how long Francis has been in this state, of going from meal to meal, drink to drink, from shabby place to sleep to shabby place to sleep. Nicholson shows the complete truthful history of the man, in just the way he walks, and acts that clearly shows the weight on Francis' shoulders brought on by the past.

Nicholson portrays Francis' alcoholism brilliantly, in that he does not show it that he merely has to drink, but rather he has to drink to hide the real emotions, and reality of his life. Nicholson is very good because he never tries for a moment to show off with this aspect of Francis, instead he shows it as a distinct facet of what Francis who he is currently, but not the only aspect of Francis. Nicholson who portrays the alcoholism any manner of its effect on Francis, is so incredibly subtle, it simply is outstanding the way Nicholson presents it.

Francis is forced to face his past even more completely when ghosts from his past are walking and talking on the streets to him just like the normal people. The ghosts work surprisingly well in the film, and feel completely natural to the entire tone of the film, and I think part of the reason why they work so well, is because of Nicholson's performance. Nicholson makes them believable because he shows that they are deeply part of his mind. Nicholson presents them as a deep pain within Francis, that he cannot forget.

His relationship with Meryl Streep's character Helen is rather interesting, because it is not much of a love relationship, although there is perhaps a little of that, but more of a mutual partnership due to their mutual desperation. It most certianly is not a loving relationship, but the little tenderness infused by both actors makes that all the special. It is fascinating though because Nicholson  shows the right anger in Francis toward her for trying to cling to her high class background, but still shows compassion of sorts with her, as it is his duty. Nicholson finds the perfect tone in the relationship to make true to life.

His real love relationship though is shown when he goes and sees his wife Annie (Carroll Baker), and family after so many years. Their relationship is one that is just incredible to watch, because Annie does not blame Francis, nor is she better towards him, instead she is incredibly warm to him. Nicholson contrasts her forgiving nature by showing that Francis just is unable to get over his own past, to even be able to except her forgiveness, although he still clearly loves her, as she loves him, but Nicholson shows that Francis is much to haunted to be able to stay with her for a happy life.

The manner in which he reaches his final moments though, where perhaps Francis finally is able to truly face his past, is flawlessly portrayed by Nicholson. This is simply one of Jack Nicholson's best performance his journey as Francis is an incredible one to follow because of Nicholson pitch perfect manner. Nicholson never visibly seeks to gain empathy, yet he gains a enormous amount in his portrayal. It is an incredible heartbreaking performance, a true honest portrait of a broken down man that is very hard to forget.

Best Actor 1987

And the Nominees Were:

William Hurt in Broadcast News

Marcello Mastroianni in Dark Eyes

Michael Douglas in Wall Street

Robin Williams in Good Morning Vietnam

Jack Nicholson in Ironweed

Best Actor 1970: Results

5. James Earl Jones in The Great White Hope- Jones is hampered down by a rather lackluster film, and a rather lackluster co-star, but he still is effective nonetheless.

4. Ryan O'Neal in Love Story- It is easy perhaps to mock this film, and perhaps this performance, but there really is no reason to because O'Neal certainly is effective in his part, giving a realistic honest performance, that finds the perfect chemistry with his co-star to make the film work.

3. Melvyn Douglas in I Never Sang for My Father- Douglas despite not always being given that much screen time is still able to create an interesting portrait of a father who despite loving his son, he refuses to give into anything that goes against his personal beliefs.

2. Jack Nicholson in Five Easy Pieces- Nicholson is simply amazing here, and it is shame that both he and Scott were nominated in the same year. It really is hard to compare the performances in anyway other than that they are both brilliant. Nicholson portrait of his character is intense, and incredibly effective. He never seems to seek sympathy from the audience, but it is exceedingly hard to not to become invested in his incredible performance.

1. George C. Scott in Patton- Good prediction Dinasztie. Now this a rather difficult decision, although I felt perhaps with going with Nicholson, but that was before I re-watched Patton. It is not that this is a performance that stands far above Nicholson's performance, both their performances simply stand beyond other performances that it is hard to compare performances this good. They are both incredible in their depictions. I pick Scott's performance not because of any difference in quality, but I just love Scott's amazing characterization of Patton, that is flawless. I really can't say anything why he beats Nicholson, but I simply have to choose just one, I suppose if I was an actual voter I would have voted for Nicholson though, since Nicholson wanted win, Scott supposedly did not care. 

Best Actor 1970: Jack Nicholson in Five Easy Pieces

Jack Nicholson received his second Oscar nomination for portraying Robert Dupea in Five Easy Pieces. 

Five Easy Pieces tells the story of a young man who seems to be a normal working class guy, but in actuality comes from upper class family of classical musicians.

This is Nicholson's first Oscar nomination for portraying the lead of a film, and it certianly is striking to see him here in his prime as an actor. Nicholson here is quite interesting because although he is quite clearly at the top of his form, there is less if what you normally see in a Nicholson performance, as he has not completely developed some of his trademarks yet, which he  perfected in some of his later performance.

That is not a slight to his later performances nor this performance, it is just fascinating to see this incredibly raw Nicholson performance. In the opening of the film it shows him a just a working class man who is working at an oil field, and spends some time with his friends, and his girlfriend Rayette (Karen Black). Nicholson is natural and effective, in showing that Robert's life is a rather day to day routine, but as well he does suggest the underlining secrets of Robert.

A part of these early scenes are Robert's relationship with Rayette. Nicholson portrays this part of his character interestingly in that he is not at all romantic in these scenes, yet he makes the relationship entirely believable, and their scenes together have a fascinating dynamic that is rather harsh, as well as being incredibly interesting of the connection the two people create with one another anyways.

I think it best shown when he leaves to go on his trip where he harshly abandons her, but struggles with himself, and decides to bring her along after all. Nicholson naturally shows the very complex relationship, and all the conflicting emotions in the relationship with astounding ease.  

Now soon enough though it is revealed that Robert was raised in the musical family, and that his father is sick, and therefore he goes on a trip to see his family once again. Here again it is just amazing when Nicholson arrives to see his family because of the complex relationship he has with every single members of his family.

Each relationship Nicholson is brilliant in creating, as he shows such a complex range of emotions with each member of his family. Firstly with his sister who he has a good ease with, yet Nicholson still suggests some distance from her, to his brother who he acts in almost a playful manner with but adds underneath it is possibly a more overt hatred of his brother, and just the pompous privilege he represents. 

 Even more important is his relationship with his brother's fiancee. With her he shows a hostility again, but as well suggests his desire for her as well. Nicholson has the perfect raw charm in these scenes that make her mutual attraction back to Robert completely believable. Than there is his relationship with his father who is unresponsive from a stroke. Nicholson shows the long history of his relation with his father silently but clearly until his final long talk with his father, were Nicholson is simply amazing.

Something I think that should be mentioned past his brilliant relationships Nicholson creates with Robert are just the classic Nicholson moments which can basically stand alone. They each are amazing moments where Nicholson's magnetic screen quality is the most prevalent and vivid. They include his scene where he does his big scene on the highway and plays a piano on the back of the truck, his anger at a diner who cannot fulfill his order, as well as his description of a Las Vegas revue he played at. Each of these scenes are classic moments on their own because just simply how good Nicholson is. Overall this a strong performance throughout punctuated well with classic Nicholson moments.

Best Actor 1970

And the Nominees Were:

Melvyn Douglas in I Never Sang for My Father

Ryan O'Neal in Love Story

George C. Scott in Patton

Jack Nicholson in Five Easy Pieces

James Earl Jones in The Great White Hope

The Shining

(1980)

Secluded hotel
Indian burial ground
Arctic storm, hedge maze